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Bock, Y.

Publications and source records attributed to Bock, Y..

International GPS Service : 2001-2002 technical reports

Applications of the Global Positioning System (GPS) to Earth Science are numerous. The International GPS Service (IGS), a federation of government agencies and universities, plays an increasingly critical role in support of GPS-related research and engineering activities. Contributions from the IGS Governing Board and Central Bureau, analysis and data centers, station operators, and others constitute the 2001 / 2002 Technical Reports.

Feltens, J.

One Century of Tectonic Deformation Along the Sumatran Fault from Triangulation and GPS Surveys

An analysis combining historical triangulation and recent Global Positioning System (GPS) survey measurements in West and North Sumatra, Indonesia, reveals a detailed slip history along the central part of the Sumatran Fault. The arc-parallel components of the combined velocity field are consistent with slip rates inferred from GPS data, ranging from 23 to 24 mm/yr. Between 1.0 S and 1.3 N the Sumatran Fault appears to be characterized by deep locking depths, on the order of 20 km, and the occurrence of large (M (sub w) approximately 7) earthquakes. The long-term (1883-1993) strains show simple right-lateral shear, with rates similar to GPS-measured, 1989-1993 strain rates. Coseismic deformation due to the 1892 Tapanuli and 1926 Padang Panjang earthquakes, estimated from triangulation measurements taken before and after the events, indicate that the main shocks were significantly larger than previously reported. The 1892 earthquake had a likely magnitude of M (sub w) approximately equal to 7.6, while the 1926 events appear to be comparable in size to the subsequent (M approximately 7) 1943 events, and an order of magnitude higher than previously reported.

Prawirodirdjo, L.

Distribution of Slip at the Northern Sumatran Fault System

We model spatial variations in horizontal displacements of 117 geodetic sites measured during annual surveys in 1989-1996 with the Global Positioning System (GPS) as elastic strain across a locked strike-slip fault to infer the contemporary slip rate, locking depth, and location of the Sumatran fault (SF) in northern Sumatra (1 S-3 N). GPS-derived slip rate estimates increase slightly northward from 23 plus or minus 3 mm/yr at 0.8 deg S to 26 plus or minus 2mm/yr at 2.7 N. They agree with geologic estimates north of the Equator, but at 0.5 S they are about 10 mm/yr higher. Strain appears to be distributed asymmetrically about the fault. South of 2 N, about 5 mm/yr of shear is required within the offshore forearc, west of the fault, to achieve a closer agreement of fault locations inferred from GPS velocities with geologically identified traces of the SF. Locking depth estimates are on the order of 10-20 km. The western branch of the major fault bifurcation near 1 N slips at a rate five times higher than the eastern branch. The two main strands of the fault at the northwestern tip of Sumatra (5.5 N) appear to be nearly free of horizontal strain; significant slip must occur away from the two strands, probably further east at two other geologically active branches. The Banda Aceh embayment is extruded to the northwest at a rate of 5 plus or minus 2 mm/yr. Within the estimated velocity uncertainties of several mm/yr, fault-normal deformation along the SF is insignificant. Almost strain free, the northern part of the back-arc basin is part of a rigid Sunda shelf, while the northern forearc is subjected to 8 plus or minus 5 x 10 (exp -8)/yr of extension nearly parallel to the arc.

Genrich, J. F.

Geodetic Observations of Interseismic Strain Segmentation at the Sumatra Subduction Zone

Deformation above the Sumatra subduction zone, revealed by Global Positioning System (GPS) geodetic surveys, shows nearly complete coupling of the forearc to the subducting plate south of 0.5 deg S and half as much to north. The abrupt change in plate coupling coincides with the boundary between the rupture zones of the 1833 and 1861 (Mw greater than 8) thrust earthquakes. The rupture boundary appears as an abrupt change in strain accumulation well into the interseismic cycle, suggesting that seismic segmentation is controlled by properties of the plate interface that persist occupied through more than one earthquake cycle. Structural evidence indicates that differences in basal shear stress may be related to elevated pore pressure in the north.

Prawirodirdjo, L.

First geodetic measurement of convergence across the Java Trench

Convergence across the Java Trench has been estimated for the first time, from annual Global Positioning System (GPS) measurements commencing in 1989. The directions of motion of Christmas and Cocos Island are within 1 deg of that predicted by the No-Net Rotation (NNR) NUVEL-1 plate motion model for the Australian plate although their rates are 25% and 37% less than predcited, respectively. The motion of West Java differs significantly from the NNR NUVEL-1 prediction for the Eurasian plate with a 1 deg difference in direction and a 40% increase in rate. We infer that either West Java moves with a distinct Southeast Asian plate or this region experiences plate margin deformation. The convergence of Christmas Island with respect to West Java is 67 +/- mm/yr in a direction N11 deg E +/- 4 deg which is orthogonal to the trench. The magnitude of convergence agrees well with rescaled NUVEL-1 relative plate model which predicts a value of 71 mm/yr between Australia and Eurasia. The direction of motion matches the direction inferred from earthquake slip vectors at the trench but may be more northerly than the N20 deg E +/- 3 deg predicted by NUVEL-1. On June 2, 1994, almost a year after the last GPS survey, an M(sub W) = 7.5 earthquake with slip vector direction N5 deg occurred south of central Java.

Tregoning, P.

Estimating crustal deformations from a combination of baseline measurements and geophysical models

Three possible estimation algorithms are presented for the monitoring of crustal deformations from a combination of repeated baseline measurements and prior deformation information. Attention is given to best linear minimum bias estimation, best linear estimation, and Bayesian estimation. The application of the deformation estimators to the maintenance of a conventional terrestrial reference system is considered. It is shown that if no prior deformation model is available, the free adjustment is the preferred algorithm. In the presence of prior information, however, it is better to use a somewhat incorrect model than to ignore it altogether. The best estimation model of the ones tested is the best linear estimation.

Bock, Y.

The use of baseline measurements and geophysical models for the estimation of crustal deformations and the terrestrial reference system

Four possible estimators are investigated for the monitoring of crustal deformations from a combination of repeated baseline length measurements and adopted geophysical models, particularly an absolute motion plate model. The first estimator is an extension of the familiar free adjustment. The next two are Bayesian type estimators, one weak and one strong. Finally, a weighted constraint estimator is presented. The properties of these four estimators are outlined and their physical interpretations discussed. A series of simulations are performed to test the four estimators and to determine whether or not to incorporate a plate model for the monitoring of deformations. The application of these estimations to the maintenance of a new conventional terrestrial reference system is discussed.

Bock, Y.

Reference frame requirements and the MERIT campaign

An analysis is given of how satellite, lunar laser, and very long base interferometry stations available during the MERIT Campaign in 1983/84 can contribute to the detection of short periodic variations in the rotational parameters of the earth, as well as the determination of the differences between the various Conventional Terrestrial and Inertial Reference Frames inherent in the above systems. Specific observational requirements are given both by objective and by country.

Mueller, I. I.

On the establishment and maintenance of a modern conventional terrestrial reference system

The frame of the Conventional Terrestrial Reference System (CTS) is defined by an adopted set of coordinates, at a fundamental epoxh, of a global network of stations which contribute the vertices of a fundamental polyhedron. A method to estimate this set of coordinates using a combination of modern three dimensional geodetic systems is presented. Once established, the function of the CTS is twofold. The first is to monitor the external (or global) motions of the polyhedron with respect to the frame of a Conventional Inertial Reference System, i.e., those motions common to all stations. The second is to monitor the internal motions (or deformations) of the polyhedron, i.e., those motions that are not common to all stations. Two possible estimators for use in earth deformation analysis are given and their statistical and physical properties are described.

Bock, Y.

On the VLBI-satellite laser ranging Iron Triangle intercomparison experiment

Simulations were performed to determine the suitability of the proposed station locations. The criterion was a comparison among the possible station configuration of the standard deviations of baseline and Earth rotation parameters estimated from a least squares covariance analysis. Only the relative magnitudes of the standard deviations were addressed in the analysis. Only random errors were assumed and no provision was made for systematic effects. The Iron Triangle, consisting of the stations at Westford (Haystack), Massachusetts, Owens Valley, California, and Ft. Davis, Texas, was regarded as the structure of the proposed network with options to incorporate either the Goldstone, California, or Green Bank, West Virginia, station or both. It was decided to include the Richmond, Florida, station in the analysis since it offered more North-South separation and therefore could strengthen the geometry of the network especially in the recovery of Earth rotation parameters.

Bock, Y.

A VLBI variance-covariance analysis interactive computer program

An interactive computer program (in FORTRAN) for the variance covariance analysis of VLBI experiments is presented for use in experiment planning, simulation studies and optimal design problems. The interactive mode is especially suited to these types of analyses providing ease of operation as well as savings in time and cost. The geodetic parameters include baseline vector parameters and variations in polar motion and Earth rotation. A discussion of the theroy on which the program is based provides an overview of the VLBI process emphasizing the areas of interest to geodesy. Special emphasis is placed on the problem of determining correlations between simultaneous observations from a network of stations. A model suitable for covariance analyses is presented. Suggestions towards developing optimal observation schedules are included.

Bock, Y.